Contributed photo Pictured, from left, are Linda Halvorsen, event coordinator; Walter Markowski, principal of Damascus School; Chris Tetkoski, second vice president; Carrie Campen, treasurer; Elaine LoCicero, first vice president and Patricia Ruggles, president. (Click for larger image)

PTA celebrates with dinner

DAMASCUS — The Damascus PTA recently hosted the annual dinner for the Wayne County Parent Teacher Association. Paul Edwards, superintendent of Wayne Highlands School District, as well as many Wayne Highlands school board members attended. Guests also included past presidents of the Wayne County Council PTA. The evening was highlighted by musical performances, both vocal and instrumental, performed by Damascus students. Damascus third grade Bear Cub Scouts prepared planted centerpieces and escorted guests to their seats. The event showcased Damascus school and student work, with beautiful displays throughout the halls. Tyler Hill Farm Country Inn prepared a delicious meal. PTA’s in attendance included Hamlin Lake Elementary, Honesdale elementary and R.D. Wilson School.

Assessment tests have been assessed

SULLIVAN COUNTY — Students in the Sullivan West Central School District’s three buildings scored well on the 2001 fourth and eighth grade assessment tests, according to the New York State Education Department’s Report Card released in March.

The results show that 68 percent of the fourth graders in Delaware Valley, Jeffersonville-Youngsville and Narrowsburg tested at levels three and four (the two highest), in English, while 29 percent tested at level two and only three percent at level one (the lowest). These scores were slightly better than the countywide average. According to the state’s report, level four shows academic excellence, level three is adequate, level two shows that the students need extra help and level one indicates that a student has serious academic deficiencies.

In fourth grade math, meanwhile, 82 percent scored in the highest levels, with 17 percent in level two and one percent in level one. The ultimate goal of New York’s statewide testing of fourth and eighth graders, begun in 1999, is to have 90 percent of students score at or above level three in both English and math.

Eighth grade district-wide performance, while not as good as the fourth grade results, was also considerably better than the county average. In English, 60 percent of eighth graders scored at levels three and four, with 33 percent at level two and seven percent at level one.

They did not do quite as well in math, with 53 percent at levels three and four and 36 percent at level two and 11 percent at level one. These scores were still well above the county average, however.

Education officials throughout the state are concerned about the drop-off in scores from fourth to eighth grades, acknowledging that getting 90 percent of eighth graders to score in levels three and four is a long way off. They indicated that there are several reasons for the lower scores for eighth graders, primarily that adolescence is in full swing, with students apparently more concerned with their changing bodies and cultural influences than trying their best on standardized tests. In addition, there seems to be recognition among these students that how well or poorly they do on these tests does not count toward their grade or their cumulative average for class rank. Thus, school officials believe that the students do not necessarily try their hardest to score well. There also is a concern, however, that middle schools have not done as good a job as the elementary schools in adjusting their curriculum to meet the goals of the state education department.

Students awarded for service

EAST STROUDSBURG — East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania awarded the President’s Outstanding Service Awards to students for service to the community, to campus life or as university student employees. Those students from our area are: Dustin Chiocchi of Shohola, Etai Edelstein of Milford, Alan Figura of Honesdale and Sean Kelly of Honesdale.

Three local students win scholarships

HAWLEY — The Wayne County Builders Association (WCBA) presented their annual 2002 scholarship awards on Saturday, May 11, at a special event held at the Red Barons game. Mariotti Building Products, located in Old Forge, PA, sponsored the event. The scholarship recipients and their families were guests of the WCBA at this special event honoring their academic achievements in the building trades. Board members of the Wayne County Builders Association presented the students with their awards on the field prior to the start of the game.

Mark Reidenbach of Greentown, PA was a recipient of one of the scholarships. Mark will be graduating Wallenpaupack High School this June and continuing his educating at Penn State University where he will be studying electrical engineering.

Raymond Ubaldi, Jr. of Hawley, PA was also a recipient of a scholarship presented by the Wayne County Builders Association. Raymond will be graduating from Wallenpaupack High School and will be attending the Pennsylvania College of Technology where he plans to major in Architecture.

Both Mark and Raymond were presented with complete computer systems from the Wayne County Builders Association. Each system is valued at over $1,000.

Zachary Story of South Sterling, PA is also a Senior at Wallenpaupack High School and will be attending the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers for a five-year apprenticeship program in electric. The Wayne County Builders Association presented Zack with a $1,000 tool apprentice package as his scholarship award.

The Wayne County Builders Association congratulates Mark, Raymond and Zack and wishes them much success in their future endeavors.

The WCBA presents annual scholarship awards to local high school students who choose to continue their education in the building trades. For more information about the Wayne County Builders Association, call 800/225-WCBA.

	Contributed photo Pictured is Kindergarten Teacher, Monica Munier, on “Dress up like your favorite Olympian” day. She dressed like the Olympic track runner Jackie Joyner. (Click for larger image)

Staff Appreciation Week

NARROWSBURG — Sullivan West at Narrowsburg celebrated Staff Appreciation Week from May 6 to 10. The theme for this year was “Go for the Gold with our Olympic Staff.” The PTSO spent the week appreciating those people who care so very much for their children. The week included cookie day, gift day, “Treat your teacher like an Olympian” day, and muffin day. The PTSO also provided an Italian luncheon at school and wrapped up the week with raffle day, in which local business donated gifts to be raffled off to staff in Narrowsburg. Mr. Nuttycombe, a fifth grade teacher, had this to say about the week. “As always, staff appreciation week was terrific. The extent that the parents go to show appreciation is something that simply doesn’t happen anywhere but here. The support and appreciation that we get from our community shows how fortunate we are to work here.”

Local student elected to
Skidmore Honor Society

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Seth Glasser, a member of the Class of 2002 at Skidmore College, has been elected to Skidmore’s Periclean Honor Society.

He is the son of Stephen Glasser and Helene Hunter of Barryville.

The Periclean Honor Society was formed in 1956 to stimulate intellectual curiosity, to encourage creative activity and to honor academic achievement. Seniors whose cumulative grade point average is 3.4 or more, and juniors whose cumulative grade point average is 3.6 or more, are eligible for membership. Periclean nominees and members must also sustain a good record of academic and social integrity. Elections are held in the fall of each year and prior to graduation for graduating seniors. The society also sponsors the Periclean Scholar Award, which is presented to a small number of graduating seniors to honor superior scholastic or creative achievement in the form of a senior thesis, project, exhibition or performance.

Academic prizes were awarded during Honors Convocation, Skidmore’s annual celebration of academic achievement. College President Jamienne S. Studley, Dean of Studies Jon Ramsey and Associate Dean of the Faculty Susan Bender were among those awarding prizes to students at the event, which took place April 25.

Founded in 1903, Skidmore College is a coeducational, liberal arts college with an enrollment of approximately 2,100 students. The college grants the bachelor’s degree in some 60 majors, including both traditional liberal arts disciplines and preprofessional programs. Skidmore also awards the Master of Arts in liberal studies degree.

Mege honored for second time

BEACH LAKE — Frances “Fran” Mege of Beach Lake, teacher of spanish at Sullivan West/JY, has been named to “Who’s Who Among American Teachers” for the second time.

Mege has taught at JY since 1986 and for 17 years in Brooklyn before that. She is the adviser to the Spanish Club and the Spanish Honor Society, both of which she established at the school.